a weary world rejoices

“The best of all is, God is with us.”  (the final words of John Wesley, 1791)

Yesterday after my drive home from work, I sat in my driveway with the car idling and the radio turned up.  O Holy Night was playing and instead of rushing in the house, I chose to be still and reflect on the words. 

At the end of 2020, one thing is certain.  This is a weary world. 

I wish we could sit together, a big group of us, and share about the impact of this year, how we’ve grieved and grown and all the lessons we have learned. 

We would talk about COVID-19, of course:  our fears, the health of those we love, the fragility of our lives.  We would talk about race and equality, the ache to see real justice.  Politics would come up.  Some of us, no doubt, would have a lot to say.  Hopefully someone would mention the need for character, evident in leadership, pursued by all of us.

After a while the conversation might get personal.  If so, I would tell you about some hard things we navigated in our own home this year. 

2020 presented us all with a choice – difficult times always do. 

As a result, I believe we’re more authentic in December than we were in January.  We have learned that we are not in control, nor invincible. We have softened and slowed down.  We spent more time at home doing things we were too busy to try before.  And the slowing has been good for us.  

I think in December we realize how much we need each other. We re-ordered our loves this year. We do better in community and time apart has made us all realize people matter most.  I think in December we are more grateful, too.  We have learned to number our days a little better, to savor the moments.  Hopefully we are kinder, more gracious. 

2020 has taken a toll on many. There are families with less feet under the table this Christmas. For some, the empty chair is permanent this side of heaven.  How can we suggest there should be hope in a time like this?  Can a weary world rejoice?

One word makes all the difference.  Immanuel. 

‘See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated "God is with us."  Matthew 1:23

God with us.  Jesus left the splendor of heaven to be born as a baby, to be close to us.  He is, as the songs says, ‘born to be our friend’.  As I listened in my car, I let those words tend to my own weary heart. His birth is more than sentiment, the stuff of sweet Christmas concerts. It is an invitation to confident hope:  both personal and life-changing.  I am convinced that even now, especially now, we can have ‘a thrill of hope’. Discouragement and fear have had the floor long enough. God is with us.  With us in our grieving, our loss, our loneliness, our waiting. Our world desperately needs to hear the reason for the hope that we have, to see lives transformed by the presence of God.  God came to be with us, not just here and now, but forever.  His death and resurrection made a way for us to spend eternity with him. 

“He appeared and the soul felt its worth.”  Don’t rush too quickly past that.  The life and death of Jesus communicates more than anything, how deeply and dearly you are loved.  I hope when you consider Jesus, your soul feels its worth.

On the very first Christmas, the arrival of Jesus changed everything.  He can this Christmas, too. 

 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”  Isaiah 9:2

Let Immanuel usher in to your weary home this holiday, and rejoice.  God is with us.  

 ‘The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’  Psalm 46:11